Under cross-examination at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Sharangan Maheswaran stated that a purported $1,000 offer to place a story about an alleged extramarital affair was not intended as a serious proposal.
Ms Maheswaran, a Liberal Party operative, testified regarding communications with Jeremy Greenwood, a lobbyist associated with fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. The commission heard that Nassif’s legal representative had proposed the payment in exchange for media coverage regarding former New South Wales minister David Elliott.
The alleged payment was contingent upon securing reports that Elliott was engaged in an affair and had breached pandemic-era restrictions. Despite characterizing the financial offer as non-serious, Ms Maheswaran confirmed to the inquiry that she had explicitly communicated to Greenwood that she was “not joking” when making the suggestion.
The proceedings continue as the anti-corruption watchdog investigates potential misconduct and improper influence within state politics.
Lobbyists and operatives mixing funds with media stories? This raises serious questions about the integrity of our system.
I am shocked that this was even proposed. Why would anyone think paying for unsubstantiated rumors is acceptable?
A thousand dollars to plant a scandal? It feels less like politics and more like cheap gossip mongering.
The whole ‘not joking’ versus ‘not serious’ contradiction is rather baffling. One must wonder what she actually intended.